Spraying Device and Refill Therefor

ABSTRACT

A spraying device with a replaceable refill of fluid therein is described, wherein: the refill comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stem at an upper portion of the body and a spray head wherein said spray head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion is a fluid exit orifice for directing, in use, sprayed fluid; and the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the refill therein, the outer housing is provided with an aperture suitable for permitting, in use, the spraying of the fluid from the fluid exit orifice of the spray head therethrough, the device comprises actuation means configured for periodic actuation of the refill, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the spray head therein, and the device is provided with detection means within the inner housing configured to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of said refill; and characterised in that the detection means are directed toward either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a spray head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said spray head is provided with said at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance. Methods of operation of such a spraying device are also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and refill for spraying a fluid and particularly, but not exclusively to a device for spraying fluids such as fragrances, deodorizing fluids and/or a pest control materials or the like. The present invention also relates to a method of using such a device and refill.

BACKGROUND

Prior art devices for spraying fragrances, deodorising agents and sanitising fluids into a room generally consist of a device containing a removable source of fluid. With such an arrangement once the source of fluid has been completely exhausted, the source can be replaced rather than replacing the entire device. Typically such sources come in many forms, including containers, bottles, cans and cartridges (generically, all such containers, bottles, cans and cartridges hereinafter will be referred to as “refills”). Such refills can be pump sprays or aerosols, including metered and non-metered versions thereof.

Known prior art devices typically comprise a housing having an opening through which the fluid is sprayed. A part of the housing is movable/removable to permit a refill to be introduced and subsequently removed from the interior of the device. The device further comprises a mechanically actuated arm or the like therein which is adapted to periodically activate in order to press down on a spray head connected to the refill, resulting in fluid passing from the body of the refill, through the spray head and out of the opening in the housing into the surrounding environment.

The shape of a refill is typically standardised to a certain degree, as such, spraying devices may unwittingly provide an opportunity to facilitate vandalism or dangerous behaviour. Specifically, vandals or the like may seek to intentionally insert a dangerous source of sprayable fluid into a spraying device. For instance, where the device is for spraying a fragrance and the refill is an aerosol of a standard size, one form of vandalism and/or intentional abuse could be the insertion of a paint aerosol into the device. The resulting damage from such abuse could be substantial. Such abuse would likely be associated with a significant health and safety risk. Clearly it would be desirable from a user's perspective to be protected from such dangerous behaviour and/or acts of vandalism.

In order to address the above disadvantages WO2009/037491 proposes an inexpensive, mechanically/electronically reliable and user infallible device-to-refill recognition system. One of the objects of the present invention is to address any impairment of the system by environmental conditions and/or for variations in refill consistency when standard manufacturing tolerances are taken into account.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a spraying device with a replaceable refill of fluid therein, wherein:

the refill comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stem at an upper portion of the body and a spray head wherein said spray head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion is a fluid exit orifice for directing, in use, sprayed fluid; and

the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the refill therein, the outer housing is provided with an aperture suitable for permitting, in use, the spraying of the fluid from the fluid exit orifice of the spray head therethrough, the device comprises actuation means configured for periodic actuation of the refill, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the spray head therein, and the device is provided with detection means within the inner housing configured to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of said refill; and

characterised in that the detection means are directed toward either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a spray head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said spray head is provided with said at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance.

For the purposes of understanding the present invention and the avoidance of doubt the neck portion of the spray head has substantially six sides, a front side which is nearest to the exit orifice, a rear side which is opposite the front side and remote from the exit orifice, left and right sides between said front and rear sides, a bottom side containing the inlet section, and a top side opposite to and remote from the bottom side.

Reflectance relates to radiation striking a surface, some of it is absorbed and some is reflected. Reflectance is expressed as a unitless proportion. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “lower reflectance” is used herein as a relative term with reference to the term “higher reflectance”; “lower” may include areas of zero or near zero reflectance.

Preferably the spray head is provided with at least two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of higher reflectance or, alternatively, said spray head is preferably provided with at least three areas of lower reflectance and at least two areas of higher reflectance. More preferably however, the spray head is provided with two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of higher reflectance.

Preferably the spray head is provided with between two to four areas of lower reflectance and between three to five areas of higher reflectance or, alternatively, said spray head is preferably provided with between three to five areas of lower reflectance and between two to four areas of higher reflectance. The upper limit on the number of areas of differing reflectance may be preferable to ensure that the detection means suitable for use with an inexpensive, mechanically/electronically reliable device-to-refill recognition system is capable of routinely distinguishing between said differing areas.

In a particularly preferred arrangement the spray head is provided with two areas of lower reflectance on a spray head having a surface finish of higher reflectance. Preferably the two areas of lower reflectance are provided by two spaced apart horizontally elongate rectangles of a lower reflectance material relative to the reflective properties of the remainder of the spray head. The two areas of lower reflectance may be solid blocks of lower reflectance material or may be pixellated or the like to appear as two distinct areas insofar as the detection means is concerned. Preferably the two areas are sufficiently elongate to cover substantially all of a right side or left side of the neck portion of the spray head. Preferably said at least two areas of spaced apart horizontally elongate rectangles of a lower reflectance material are joined by a vertically elongate rectangle toward the front side of the neck portion.

Ideally the areas of lower and/or higher reflectance extend across substantially an entire width of the left or right side of the neck portion of a refill spray head.

Preferably there is at least 1.5 mm between the areas of the same reflectance, and more preferably at least 2 mm between the areas of the same reflectance, and even more preferably there is between 1.5-3 mm between the areas of the same reflectance, and most preferably there is substantially 2 mm between the areas of the same reflectance.

Advantageously, the reliability of the inexpensive and user-infallible device-to-refill recognition system defined by the present invention is surprisingly improved for at least the following reasons. Firstly by locating the detection means within the inner housing such that it is directed toward either the right or left side of the neck portion of the spray head, the detection means is protected from environmental interference, and particularly environmental light interference. The detection means is shielded from external light and is less likely to be ‘blinded’ by light entering the aperture in the outer housing and travelling into the inner housing around the gaps between the inner housing and the refill spray head. Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention where the at least two areas of spaced apart horizontally elongate rectangles of a lower reflectance material are provided, the elongate nature of said rectangles and their extension toward the front side of the neck portion may assist in reducing any glare from light travelling into the inner housing. The lower reflectance material near the front side of the neck portion may be capable of absorbing some of the environmental interference/light interference to reduce any impairment of the detection means. The ability to reduce glare may be improved further for the embodiment where the elongate horizontal rectangles are joined by a vertically elongate rectangle toward the front side of the neck portion as said vertical portion will expose more of the lower reflectance material to the incoming environmental light interference.

Secondly, in the manufacturing of refills, particularly aerosol refills containing pressurised fluid, there may be variations of the height of the spray head thereof due to manufacturing tolerances associated with valve stem height, depth of inlet in spray head, refill body height and the like, this may be problematic for use with an inexpensive, mechanically/electronically reliable device-to-refill recognition system as the detection means may not be able to scan a sufficient proportion of the spray head to determine whether there is at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance. Advantageously however, the problem of manufacturing tolerance variations may be overcome when the spray head is provided with at least two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of higher reflectance or provided with at least three areas of lower reflectance and at least two areas of higher reflectance as the detection means is provided with a greater number of opportunities to distinguish between at least two areas of differing reflectance thus recognising or not a refill of the present invention.

Thirdly, a further advantage of the present invention spray head is improved sensitivity throughout the life of use of the refill. During the use of the device and refill the quantity of fluid in the refill will decrease which will decrease the mass of the refill. The actuation means of the device will remain substantially constant however. For devices where the actuation means does not move co-axially with the permitted movement of the valve stem, toward the end of the life of the refill there may be increased lateral movement of the spray head when the actuation means bears against the spray head to open an internal valve of the refill to spray the fluid. The lateral movement may cause the spray head to move away from the detection means and compromise the ability of said means to determine whether there is at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance on the neck portion of the spray head. Advantageously however, the problem of sensitivity may be overcome or minimised when the spray head is provided with at least two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of higher reflectance or provided with at least three areas of lower reflectance and at least two areas of higher reflectance as the detection means is provided with a greater number of opportunities to distinguish between at least two areas of differing reflectance thus recognising or not a refill of the present invention.

Preferably the detection means are configured to operate to distinguish between areas of differing reflectance during movement of the spray head.

Advantageously the device according to the present invention may be able to detect when a user attempts to use the device with a potentially dangerous refill and, further, the device is preferably configured to deny the actuation means from activating and/or deny subsequent activation whilst such a refill is loaded in the device to prevent and/or limit any damage that could result from actuating the refill.

A further advantage of the devices of the present invention is that they may be able to provide an improved end of life indication. In use, when a device according to the present invention detects the at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of the refill loaded therein, a counting mechanism may be triggered. The counting mechanism may be calibrated to allow a pre-determined number of actuations of the refill which corresponds to the quantity of fluid stored in a refill. The counting mechanism may be operable in use, and after the pre-determined number of actuations has been reached, to prevent the device from causing further actuations of that refill until a user replaces the refill and/or resets the device. The device may automatically reset every time a refill is loaded into the device. This end of life indication may be advantageous as the power consumption of the device will be minimised, this would be particularly advantageous where the device is battery powered or the like.

The counting mechanism may be linked to an indicator that is adapted to communicate to the user of the device that a used or spent refill needs to be replaced.

Preferably the pre-defined number of actuations is calculated to correspond to the quantity of fluid in the refill.

Preferably the detection means are in direct communication with the actuation means such that, in use, the detection means may instruct the actuation means not to activate.

Alternatively a control means may be provided that is in direct communication with both the detection means and the actuation means, said control means being operative to receive an input from the detection means and being operative to instruct the actuation means to activate or not depending on the received input.

The control means may be provided in the form of a micro processor, a circuit provided on a PCB or in the form of another convenient component(s).

Preferably the actuation means are operable to cause actuation of the refill spray head by imparting a substantially downward force on the spray head. Said substantially downward force is preferably sufficient to cause the spray head to move in a substantially downward direction to open a fluid pathway between the body of the refill and the exit orifice of the spray head to spray a quantity of fluid out of the opening in the housing into the surrounding environment. Once a quantity of fluid has been sprayed, the device may be configured such that the refill's inherent resilience and/or internal pressure is capable of applying a substantially upward force on the spray head sufficient to return the actuation means to its starting position without the need for power to be applied to said means.

The detection means of the present invention is adapted, in use, to distinguish between areas of differing reflectance on a neck portion of a refill spray head. Preferably the detection means is capable of distinguishing as mentioned by interrogating the refill. The neck portion of the refill spray head may be interrogated by the detection means emitting radiation toward the neck portion and collecting reflected radiation such that the amount of reflectance can be attributed specifically or approximately or generally to one or more parts of the neck portion. Such attribution may permit the detection means to directly, or in combination with a control unit, to determine whether any areas of differing reflectance are present on the spray head. If there are no areas of differing reflectance on the neck portion there should be a substantially constant level of reflected radiation. Therefore in an alternative arrangement, the interrogation of the refill by the detection means may permit the detection means to detect whether at least one differing level of reflected radiation is detected without attributing the detected level of reflectance to a specific part of the neck portion. Such detection may permit the detection means to directly, or in combination with a control unit, determine whether any areas of differing reflectance are present on the neck portion.

The detection means may be configured to make a determination that there are differing levels of reflectance between at least two separate parts of the neck portion when the reflectance from one part is at least 0.5 times greater than from the a separate part of the neck portion, and preferably at least 2 times greater, and more preferably at least 5 times greater, and even more preferably at least 10 times greater, and even more preferably still at least 50 times greater, and most preferably at least 100 times greater.

As mentioned, it is preferable for the detection means to be configured to be operable to distinguish between areas of differing reflectance during the movement of the spray head. Even more preferably the detection means is configured to only be so operable during the movement of the spray head. This may be advantageous since this would permit the detection means to have a fixed location within the device and have no moving parts, thus reducing the cost of the detection means and rendering them less likely to fail during the life of the device. Additionally, with such an arrangement the detection means may have a predefined field of view allowing a refill manufacturer more defined parameters for ensuring the spray head is suitably detectable by the detection means. A further advantage exists where the device is to be battery powered as the detection means will only draw power during the actuation of the refill.

Preferably the detection means may be confined to only be operable to distinguish between areas of differing reflectance during the substantially upward movement of the spray head, i.e. the upward movement of the spray head after the downward movement caused by the actuation means. In this arrangement the inherent resilience and/or internal pressure of the refill may be sufficient to return the actuation means to its starting position without power being applied to said means. Such an arrangement may be particularly advantageous since the substantially upward movement of the spray head may be achieved without power being applied to the activation means, thus reducing or eliminating electrical noise/interference produced by the device. The reduction in electrical noise/interference may improve the ability of the detection means to distinguish areas of differing reflectance on the spray head, thus improving the reliability of the detection means whilst allowing a relatively inexpensive detection means to be used.

The detection means may be operable to determine whether a refill is loaded into the device before being operable to distinguish between areas of differing reflectance. In this arrangement the detection means may be operable to interrogate the location within the device normally occupied by a spray head of a refill when loaded into the device, if the detection means does not detect any reflectance, or a predetermined level of reflectance, this situation may be indicative of the absence of a refill in the device and the detection means will prevent the actuation means from activating. This arrangement may also be advantageous as it will prevent the actuation means from periodically activating after a user has removed a spent refill and before a new refill is loaded into the device.

Preferably the detection means are provided with a fixed location within the device and, preferably, have a fixed field of view with respect to the spray head of a refill or the area normally occupied by the spray head when a refill is loaded in the device.

Alternatively or additionally the detection means may be configured to move in order to interrogate the spray head or the area normally occupied by the spray head. The detection may be movable in a substantially horizontal direction and/or a substantially vertical direction and/or in at least two directions. The detection means may be able to pivot about a single position to perform the scan. The detection means may be provided with a wide-angle lens, such as a fish eye lens, to provide a wide field of view when performing the interrogation of the refill.

The detection means may be provided in the form of one or more sensors. The sensor(s) is preferably provided with an integrated radiation emitter that is adapted to emit radiation and further provided with a collecting portion that is adapted to collect any reflected radiation. Alternatively, the sensor may only comprise the collecting portion, the radiation emitter being a separate component that is positioned so that it is capable of emitting radiation toward the spray head such that at least some of the reflected radiation may be collected by the collecting portion.

Preferably the sensor(s) is an optical sensor in the form of an Infra-Red sensor, more preferably a passive Infra-Red sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the optical sensor(s) may be provided in the form of a light sensor or laser sensor.

The detection means may be configured to interrogate with an effective range of up to 100 mm, the effective range being the distance any interrogation must travel once reflected by the spray head in order to be detected by the detection means, i.e., the distance between the detection means or source of the interrogation to the spray head in addition to the distance the reflected interrogation must travel to the detection means to be collected and detected. Preferably the detection means with an effective range of up to 50 mm, and more preferably up to 20 mm, and even more preferably up to 10 mm, and most preferably up to 5 mm.

According to an alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a spraying device with a replaceable refill of fluid therein, wherein:

the refill comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stem at an upper portion of the body and a spray head wherein said spray head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion is a fluid exit orifice for directing, in use, sprayed fluid; and

the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the refill therein, the outer housing is provided with an aperture suitable for permitting, in use, the spraying of the fluid from the fluid exit orifice of the spray head therethrough, the device comprises actuation means configured for periodic actuation of the refill, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the spray head therein, and the device is provided with detection means within the inner housing configured, in use, to interrogate the neck portion of the spray head to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of said refill; and

characterised in that the detection means are directed toward either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a spray head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said spray head is provided with at least one part thereof shaped to substantially reflect the detection means interrogation back toward said means and is provided with at least one part thereof shaped to substantially deflect the detector means interrogation away from said means.

In the alternative aspect of the present invention the at least one area of lower reflectance is provided by the at least one part of the neck portion of the spray head that is shaped to deflect the interrogation from the detection means away from the detection means such that a lower amount of the interrogation (be it radiation for example) is detected by said means in comparison to the amount of interrogation detected by the detection means when the interrogation of the at least one part of the neck portion that is shaped to reflect said interrogation toward said means, the area of higher reflectance.

According to a further alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a spraying device with a replaceable refill of fluid therein, wherein:

the refill comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stem at an upper portion of the body and a spray head wherein said spray head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion is a fluid exit orifice for directing, in use, sprayed fluid; and

the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the refill therein, the outer housing is provided with an aperture suitable for permitting, in use, the spraying of the fluid from the fluid exit orifice of the spray head therethrough, the device comprises actuation means configured for periodic actuation of the refill, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the spray head therein, and the device is provided with detection means within the inner housing configured, in use, to interrogate the neck portion of the spray head to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of said refill; and

characterised in that the detection means are directed toward either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a spray head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said spray head is provided with at least one part thereof shaped to substantially reflect the detection means interrogation back toward said means and is provided with at least one part thereof shaped or cutaway to avoid the interrogation of the detector means.

In the further alternative aspect of the present invention the at least one area of lower reflectance is provided by the at least one part of the neck portion of the spray head that is shaped or cutaway to avoid the interrogation from the detection means such that a lower or zero amount of the interrogation (be it radiation for example) is detected by said means in comparison to the amount of interrogation detected by the detection means when the interrogation of the at least one portion shaped to reflect said interrogation toward said means, the area of higher reflectance.

According to a yet further alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a spraying device with a refill of fluid therein, wherein the refill comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid and a spray head located at the uppermost part of the refill in fluid communication with the reservoir, and wherein the device comprises a housing adapted to receive the refill therein and having an aperture suitable for permitting, in use, the spraying of the fluid from an exit orifice of the spray head therethrough, the device further comprising actuation means configured for periodic actuation of the refill, wherein the device is provided with detection means configured, in use, to interrogate the spray head to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of said refill, characterised in that the interrogation emitted from detection means is configured to be detectable over a predefined distance that is substantially equal to the effective range, and wherein the spray head is provided with at least one portion shaped to substantially reflect the detection means interrogation back toward said means and is provided with at least one portion shaped or cutaway relative to the location of the detection means.

As discussed above, the effective range is used herein to relate to the distance any interrogation must travel in order to be detected by the detection means, i.e., the distance between the detection means or source of the interrogation to the spray head in addition to the distance the reflected interrogation must travel once reflected by the spray head to the detection means to be collected and detected.

In this further alternative arrangement, by tuning the distance the interrogation is able to travel such that it is capable of travelling the distance between the non-cutaway portion of the spray head and back again after reflection, it is possible to distinguish between one area of lower reflection and one area of higher reflection. Due to the tuning of the interrogation, the amount of interrogation collected by the detection means would be less for the interrogation reflected from the cutaway portion than from the non-cutaway portion of the spray head, this difference in reflectance being detectable by the detection means, thus indicating two areas of differing reflectance. The tuning of the distance or the intensity of the interrogation is capable of travelling could be made greater or smaller than the abovementioned distance, what is important is that the interrogation is tuned such that the cutaway portion of the spray head produces a lesser amount of reflected interrogation compared with the non-cutaway portion which is collectable and detectable by the detection means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a method of spraying a fluid from a device, the method comprising the steps of loading a refill of fluid in a spray device according to any of the previous aspects of the present invention, placing the device in an operation mode, said mode being configured to cause activation of the actuation means, said actuation means periodically operating to bear against a spray head of the refill and causing the movement thereof to release a quantity of fluid from the refill, said released fluid being sprayed from the device through an aperture in the housing into the surrounding environment, wherein detection means provided in the device are operable in the operation mode to detect and distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on a spray head of said refill or within the area normally occupied by said spray head; and characterised in that the detection means are directed toward either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a spray head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said spray head is provided with said at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance.

Preferably the detection means are operable during the activation of the actuation means and the movement of the refill spray head. Even more preferably the detection means are only operable during the activation of the actuation means. Most preferably the detection means are configured to only be operable during the substantially upward movement of the refill spray head, i.e. the upward movement of the spray head after the downward movement caused by the actuation means.

The method may comprise a preceding step before activation of the actuation means wherein the detection means performs an initial interrogation of the area within the housing normally occupied by the spray head of a refill when a refill is loaded in the device. In this preceding step if the detection means does not detect any reflectance, or a predetermined level of reflectance, this may be indicative of the absence of a refill in the device and the detection means will prevent the actuation means from activating.

The method of the present invention is preferably operable to prevent the activation of the actuation means if the detection means is unable to detect and distinguish between said at least two areas of differing reflectance. Alternatively the method of the present invention is preferably operable to prevent the further activation of the actuation means if the detection means is unable to detect and distinguish between said at least two areas of differing reflectance. The prevention of activation or further activation may be maintained until a user resets the device and/or initiates a manual override of the ongoing prevention.

Turning to the refill to be used in the aforementioned devices or methods, the areas of differing reflectance on the spray head may be provided by areas of different colours. Preferable colour combinations providing the required difference of reflectance are combinations of a light colour with a dark colour, wherein the light colour provides an area possessing a higher level of reflectance of radiation than the dark colour which provides a an area possessing a greater tendency to absorb radiation thus an area of lower reflectance. A particularly preferable combination is that of a substantially white colour and a substantially black colour. Most preferably the spray head is provided in a substantially white colour with a substantially black colouration (e.g. a rectangle or the like).

The areas of differing reflectance on the spray head may be provided by areas of different Infra Red (IR) reflectance. Particularly preferred means of providing areas of differing IR reflectance include the use of inks/paints/lacquers that are absorbers or reflectors of IR radiation and, preferably, are invisible to the naked eye under normal light conditions.

The sensor may be operable to detect wavelengths in the range of 700-1350 nm. Preferably the sensor is operable to detect wavelengths in the range of 800-1100 nm. More preferably the sensor is operable to detect wavelengths in the range of 850-1000 nm. Most preferably the sensor is operable to detect wavelengths in the range of substantially 940 nm.

The areas of differing reflectance may be applied to, or incorporated in, the spray head by any suitable means. Particularly preferred methods include the initial application of the at least one area of differing reflectance to a label which is subsequently attached to the spray head. Alternatively, the at least one area of differing reflectance may be printed, engraved and/or applied directly on to the spray head. As a further alternative, the spray head could be manufactured from two or more component parts, wherein at least two of said parts are provided with external areas thereof having distinguishable reflective properties with respect to each other.

In an alternative arrangement, the neck portion of the spray head may be shaped to deflect any interrogation away from the detection means of the device. In the device of the present invention the detection means may be provided in a fixed position and will, therefore, only have a limited filed of view of the neck portion to interrogate and will only have a limited field or area in which it will be able to detect reflected interrogation. Therefore, the neck portion may be shaped such that one part thereof that is viewable by the device's detection means is shaped to substantially reflect the detector means' interrogation (e.g. by being generally flat and substantially parallel with the detection means or curved, preferably with a gentle curvature) and at least one part thereof that is viewable by the device's detection means is shaped to substantially deflect the detector mean' interrogation (e.g. by being angled relative to the direction of the interrogation and the location of the detection means such that the reflected interrogation is reflected away from a collection part of the detection means thus being substantially non-detectable or less detectable).

The device of any of the above-mentioned aspects may be provided with an indicator wherein said indicator is operable to indicate information to a user. Such information may include: whether the refill loaded in the device is potentially dangerous as it is not intended for use with the device; whether the refill needs to be changed; whether the battery or batteries need to be changed (where the device is to be battery powered); and other potentially useful information.

The indicator may be operable to provide a visual indication and/or provide an audible indication.

Preferably the indicator is configured to provide a visual indication by emitting light from one or more light sources, preferably one or more LEDs. The one or more light sources may be adapted to emit a different colour of light to indicate the current function the device is performing. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more light sources may blink or flash to indicate the current function the device is performing.

A visual indicator may be provided in the form of an LCD screen or the like wherein the screen is adapted to provide a message to a user, for instance such messages could include “ON”, “DANGEROUS REFILL INSERTED”, “CHANGE REFILL”, “CHANGE BATTERIES”, “NUMBER OF SPRAYS REMAINING”, “LIFE OF REFILL”, “OFF”.

The device may be provided with a boost mechanism. The boost mechanism may be linked to a user operated switch or button or the like. On operating the boost mechanism the actuation means may activate to cause the immediate actuation of a refill.

The device may be power by mains-supplied electricity and/or be battery powered and/or be powered by solar cells located on the device. Most preferably the device is battery powered.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a spray head for a refill of fluid for use with a device or method according to any preceding aspects of the present invention wherein the spray head comprises a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section configured to be capable to engage a valve stem of a refill of fluid and an exit orifice for fluid, characterised in that either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of the spray head is provided with at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided therefore a refill of fluid for use with a device or method according to any preceding aspect of the present invention wherein the refill comprises a body for containing a quantity of fluid and a valve stem with a spray head connected thereto, the spray head comprising a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section and in the nozzle portion an exit orifice, wherein a fluid pathway is defined therethrough from the body to the exit orifice, characterised in that either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of the spray head is provided with at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance.

For the purposes of understanding the above aspects of the present invention and the avoidance of doubt the neck portion of the spray head has substantially six sides, a front side which is nearest to the exit orifice, a rear side which is opposite the front side and remote from the exit orifice, left and right sides between said front and rear sides, a bottom side containing the inlet section, and a top side opposite to and remote from the bottom side.

For the avoidance of doubt, all of the features disclosed in this specification and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation of a device of the present invention with a refill loaded therein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation of a device of the present invention with a refill loaded therein; and

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a refill spray head;

FIG. 3B illustrates a view of the front side of the spray head of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C illustrates a view of the rear side of the spray head of FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a refill of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a fragrance spraying device 10 comprises an outer housing 12 with a removable front section 12 a through which there is an opening 14. The front section 12 a may be hinged to permit access to the interior of the device 10. A replaceable refill 16, in this example an aerosol spray canister, is held within the outer housing 12 on a platform 18. The device 10 is also provided with an inner housing 42. An outlet stem 20 of the refill 16 is received in a lower opening of a spray head 22, when the refill 16 is held within the device 10 a proportion of the spray head 22 is located within the inner housing 42. An actuation means 24 is located within the inner housing 42 and above the refill 16 and possesses an arm 24 that is moveable to apply substantially downward pressure on the spray head 22 and cause actuation of the refill 16. During actuation of the refill, fluid held within the body 26 of the refill 16 is forced through the valve stem 20, into the spray head, exiting the spray head via an exit orifice 28 into the external environment. The actuation means 26 is powered by batteries 30.

The device is further provided with a detection means 38 located within the inner housing 42. The detection means 38 are located adjacent to the inner housing at point at a right or a left side of the spray head 22, in FIG. 2 the detection means 38 points in the direction of arrow 40 at the left side of a spray head.

Although not shown in detail, the detection means 38 includes a sensor configured to face in the direction of arrow 40 toward the left side of the spray head 22, the sensor being adapted to emit radiation in this embodiment, preferably IR radiation, toward the left side of the spray head 22 to interrogate it. The sensor is also capable of collecting reflected radiation in order to distinguish between different areas of reflectance on the left side of the spray head 22 within the sensor's field of view.

The detection means 38 can be in direct communication with the actuation means 26 or, alternatively, in communication with a control unit (not shown) which is in communication with the actuation means 26. The communication between the detection means 38 and the actuation means 26, whether directly or indirectly via the control unit, being essential to permit the device to be capable of producing a response when a dangerous and/or abusive refill is loaded into the device 10.

The refill 16 is a replaceable item and the spray head 22 is typically supplied with the refill 16. Referring to FIG. 3A-C the spray head 22 will be described in greater detail, including the areas of differing reflectance thereon. Specifically, the spray head 22 consists of a neck portion 44 and a nozzle portion 46. The neck portion 44, 44′ contains the inlet section 34 and the nozzle portion 46 the exit orifice 28. The left side 48 of the neck portion 44, 44′ is coated with a layer of dark ink/paint/lacquer 35 which is of a lower reflectance than the remainder of the neck portion 44,44′, including the right side 50 thereof, which is uncoated to produce an area of higher reflectance.

In use, the refill 16 is loaded into the device by being placed on the platform 18 and the neck portion 44, 44′ is located within the inner housing 42 whilst the exit orifice 28 is protruding through, adjacent to or directed at the aperture 14. When the refill 16 is loaded in the device a fluid path for fragrance (or other material, such as sterilising material/insecticide material/bactericide material or the like) for spraying is formed from the refill 16 through the spray head 22 and past the opening 14 in the front section of the housing 12 a and out into the surrounding environment.

In order to cause spraying of the fluid from the refill 16, the actuation means is activated causing the arm 24 into connection with the spray head 22 and pushing the spray head in a substantially downward direction. The downward movement of the spray head 22 effects corresponding downward movement of the valve stem 20 which opens a valve therein and permits fluid to flow through the valve stem, spray head and out of opening 14 into the surrounding environment.

The actuation means 26 has numerous selectable settings which a user may select via a user input means 32. The user input means 32 can be operable to allow a user to select whether the device is turned on or off, the specific operation mode of the device such as its spray frequency, timer delay or other such feature. Preferred frequency settings would be the option of the fluid being sprayed from the refill every nine minutes, or every eighteen minutes, or every thirty-six minutes.

The detection means 38 can be operable to detect the presence of the spray head 22 and, further, detect whether there is at least one area of low reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance on one side of the neck portion 44, 44′ of the spray head 22.

Firstly the detection means 38 may be operable to detect whether a refill 16 is loaded in the device by interrogating the area normally occupied by the neck portion 44, 44′ of a spray head 22 when a refill is loaded therein, said interrogation being in the general direction of arrow 40. Prior to permitting the actuation means 24 to activate, the detection means 38 may perform an initial interrogation of the location within the device normally occupied by a spray head of a refill when loaded into the device, if the detection means does not detect any reflectance, or a predetermined level of reflectance, this situation may be indicative of the absence of a refill in the device and the detection means 38 will prevent the actuation means from activating, either directly by communicating therewith or indirectly via a control unit.

Should the presence of a refill 16 be detected, the detection means 38 is further configured to interrogate further parts of the spray head 22. The detection means 38 may be capable of interrogating the spray head 22 by emitting radiation in the direction of arrow 40 toward the neck portion 44, 44′, such as IR radiation. The detection means is capable of collecting reflected radiation such that the amount of reflectance collected can be attributed specifically or approximately or generally to a part or parts of the neck portion 44, 44′. Such attribution may permit the detection means 38 to directly, or in combination with the control unit (not shown), determine whether any areas of differing reflectance are present on the neck portion 44, 44′.

Alternatively, the interrogation of the refill by the detection means 38 may permit the detection means to detect whether at least one differing level of reflected radiation is detected without attributing the detected level of reflectance to a specific section of the neck portion 44, 44′. Any such detection may permit the detection means 38 to directly, or in combination with the control unit (not shown), determine whether any areas of differing reflectance are present on the neck portion 44, 44′ or in the area normally occupied thereby.

With either form of interrogation, if differing areas of reflectance are detected the detection means 38 will communicate directly with the actuation means 26, or indirectly via a control unit (not shown), to permit the actuation means 26 to operate in accordance with the user input command to cause the spraying of fluid.

Conversely, if differing areas of reflectance are not detected, i.e. a potentially dangerous refill has been loaded into the device, the direct or indirect communication from the detection means 38 will call for the actuation means 26 to enter a dormant mode. During the dormant mode the actuation means 26 will not activate and not cause the spraying of fluid. The dormant mode will be maintained until a user initiates a resetting of the device. The resetting may be facilitated by the user loading a new refill into the device and/or the user operating a reset button or the like.

However, if a vandal has intentionally loaded a potentially dangerous refill and has reset the device, once the detection means 38 scans the neck portion 44, 44′ of the spray head 22 and fails to find the required reflectance, the actuation means 26 will again be placed in the dormant mode.

In an alternative embodiment, the detection means can be operable to detect the presence of the spray head 22 and detect whether there is at least one area of low reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance on the neck portion 44, 44′ only during the movement of the spray head 22 following activation by the actuation means 26. This movement permits the detection means 38 the opportunity to view a defined proportion of the neck portion 44, 44′, thus fixing the field of view of the detection means (e.g. approximately equal to the height of the neck portion 44). If during the interrogation of the neck portion 44, 44′ differing areas of reflectance are detected by the detection means 38, these means will communicate with the actuation means 26, either directly or indirectly, to permit the actuation means 26 to operate in accordance with the user input command to cause the spraying of fluid. Conversely, if differing areas of reflectance are not detected, i.e. a potentially dangerous refill has been loaded into the device, potentially to effect vandalism, the communication from the detection means 38 will call for the actuation means 26 to enter a dormant mode, as discussed above.

When a refill 16 has been loaded in the device 10 and the detection means 38 has been able to distinguish between one area of lower reflectance and once area of higher reflectance, the control means or the like may initiate a counting mechanism. The counting mechanism may be calibrated to permit a pre-determined number of actuations of the refill which corresponds to the quantity of fluid stored in a refill. The counting mechanism can be operable in use, and after the pre-determined number of actuations has been reached, to cause the device 10 to enter the dormant mode, thus prevent further actuations of that refill, until a user replaces the refill and/or resets the device. The counting mechanism may automatically reset every time a refill is loaded into the device.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. 

1. A spraying device with a replaceable refill of fluid therein, wherein: the refill comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stern at an upper portion of the body and a spray head wherein said spray head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion is a fluid exit orifice for directing, in use, sprayed fluid; and the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the refill therein, the outer housing is provided with an aperture suitable for permitting, in use, the spraying of the fluid from the fluid exit orifice of the spray head therethrough, the device comprises actuation means configured for periodic actuation of the refill, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the spray head therein, and the device is provided with detection means within the inner housing configured to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of said refill; and characterised in that the detection means are directed toward either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a spray head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said spray head is provided with said at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance.
 2. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head is provided with at least two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of higher reflectance or, alternatively, said spray head is preferably provided with at least three areas of lower reflectance and at least two areas of higher reflectance.
 3. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head is provided with two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of higher reflectance.
 4. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head is provided with between two to four areas of lower reflectance and between three to five areas of higher reflectance or, alternatively, said spray head is preferably provided with between three to five areas of lower reflectance and between two to four areas of higher reflectance.
 5. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head is provided with two areas of lower reflectance on a spray head having a surface finish of higher reflectance.
 6. A spraying device according to claim 5, wherein the two areas of lower reflectance are provided by two spaced apart horizontally elongate rectangles of a lower reflectance material relative to the reflective properties of the remainder of the spray head.
 7. A spraying device according to claim 5, wherein the two areas of lower reflectance are solid blocks of lower reflectance material or pixellated or to appear as two distinct areas insofar as the detection means is concerned.
 8. A spraying device according to claim 5, wherein the two areas are sufficiently elongate to cover substantially all of a right side or left side of the neck portion of the spray head.
 9. A spraying device according to claim 5, wherein said at least two areas of spaced apart horizontally elongate rectangles of a lower reflectance material are joined by a vertically elongate rectangle toward the front side of the neck portion.
 10. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein there is at least 1.5 mm between the areas of the same reflectance, between the areas of the same reflectance.
 11. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means are configured to operate to distinguish between areas of differing reflectance during movement of the spray head.
 12. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein, in use, when the device detects the at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of the refill loaded therein, a counting mechanism may be triggered, wherein the counting mechanism is calibrated to allow a pre-determined number of actuations of the refill which corresponds to the quantity of fluid stored in a refill, and wherein the counting mechanism is operable in use, and after the pre-determined number of actuations has been reached, to prevent the device from causing further actuations of that refill until a user replaces the refill and/or resets the device.
 13. A spraying device according to claim 12, wherein the device is automatically reset every time a refill is loaded into the device.
 14. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein a control means is provided that is in direct communication with both the detection means and the actuation means, said control means being operative to receive an input from the detection means and being operative to instruct the actuation means to activate or not depending on the received input.
 15. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is configured to make a determination that there are differing levels of reflectance between at least two separate parts of the neck portion when the reflectance from one part is at least 0.5 times greater than from the a separate part of the neck portion.
 16. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is configured to only be operable during the movement of the spray head, and preferably during the upward movement of the spray head.
 17. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is provided in the form of one or more sensors, said one or more sensors being provided with an integrated radiation emitter that is adapted to emit radiation and further provided with a collecting portion that is adapted to collect any reflected radiation, and wherein said on eo or more sensors are Infra-Red sensor(s) or optical light sensor(s).
 18. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is configured to interrogate with an effective range of up to 100 mm.
 19. A method of spraying a fluid from a device, the method comprising the steps of: loading a refill of fluid in a spray device according to claim 1, placing the device in an operation mode, said mode being configured to cause activation of the actuation means, said actuation means periodically operating to bear against a spray head of the refill and causing the movement thereof to release a quantity of fluid from the refill, said released fluid being sprayed from the device through an aperture in the housing into the surrounding environment, wherein detection means provided in the device are operable in the operation mode to detect and distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on a spray head of said refill or within the area normally occupied by said spray head; and characterised in that the detection means are directed toward either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a spray head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said spray head is provided with said at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance.
 20. A method of spraying a fluid from a device according to claim 19, wherein the detection means are operable during the activation of the actuation means and the movement of the refill spray head.
 21. A spray head for a refill of fluid adapted for use with a device according to claim 1, wherein the spray head comprises a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section configured to be capable to engage a valve stem of a refill of fluid and an exit orifice for fluid, characterised in that either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of the spray head is provided with at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance.
 22. A refill of fluid for adapted use with a device according to claim 1, wherein the refill comprises a body for containing a quantity of fluid and a valve stem with a spray head connected thereto, the spray head comprising a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section and in the nozzle portion an exit orifice, wherein a fluid pathway is defined therethrough from the body to the exit orifice, characterised in that either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of the spray head is provided with at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance.
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled) 